Carriage top table



June 2, 1942.

M. R. NELSON CARRIAGE TOP TABLE Filed Aug. 22, 1939 2 SheetsSheet 1 QQlMsq fi M11907? ATTORNEYS June 1942- M. R. NELSON v CARRiAGE TOP TABLE Filed Aug. 22, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Q 5 kN Q fianw'Z/a f). Ne/aw? ATTORN EYS Patented June 2, 1942 1 UNITED STATES, PATENT OFFICE Application August 22, 1939, Serial No. 291,423

4 Claims.

Thisinvention relates to carriage top tables and more particularly to a work table for various uses, especially in'public, governmental and other offices for the accommodation and handling of voluminous work and large quantities of separate articles or pieces, the table top being shiftable longitudinally on a base frame or supporting stand so that a person may sit or stand in one position in front of the table and shift the movable top transversely of that position, at Will, to bring his work in front of him or at least within convenient reach.

A particular object of the invention is to produce a simple and compact yet durable and efiicient structure for the purpose intended.

A further object is to provide for the attachment of an auxiliary table adjustably and detachably to the base frame of the longitudinally shiftable table.

With the foregoing and other objects and advantages to be attained, as will hereinafter more fully appear, the invention consists in the novel general structure and in the particular parts and combinations and arrangements of parts thereof as hereinafter described and defined by the appended claims, reference being had to the ac companying drawings illustrating a practical adaptation of the invention, in which- Figure 1 is a View of the table partly in top plan and partly in horizontal section with a portion of the table top removed to show interior portions in more detail;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal vertical section on the line 2-2 of Figure 1; and

Figure 3 is a cross section on an enlarged scale, the major portion of which is out substantially on the line 33 of Figure 2 with a portion of the middle cross brace of the base frame broken away and other parts of the structure cut on a different line of section to illustrate the mounting of the auxiliary table.

Figure 4 is a longitudinal vertical section similar to Figure 2 but showing the parts in extended position.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, the numeral I designates, in general, an elongated rectangular base frame or stand preferably comprising, as shown, an upper open frame including the parallel longitudinal side members 2 and end members 3, said side and end members being preferably made of flat metal strips welded or otherwise joined at their meeting ends, the longitudinal side members of the frame being connected at the middle thereof by a cross brace 4, which, as shown, comprises a rectangular'me'tal give ample rigidity thereto.

plate flanged at its top and bottom margins to This frame is supported at its four corners by conventional leg members 5 which, as shown, are rightangular in cross section, said leg members being obviously welded or otherwise secured at their upper ends to the adjacent inner face portions of the respective side and end members 2 and 3. In this connection, it is also obvious that the leg members 5 may or may not be specially braced to the frame members 2 and 3, depending upon the inherent rigidity of the respective members themselves and the body frame members, but in any event the upper frame portion of the structure must be open and unobstructed throughout the extent thereof except where'the cross brace 4 is located at the middle of the structure.

Extending from end to end of the rectangular upper frame portion of the supporting base or stand I, adjacent each longitudinal frame member 2, is a rigid bar 6 which has its opposite end portions screw-threaded and extended through alined apertures provided therefor in the opposite end members 3 of the frame and being fastened in place by pairs of jam nuts 1 provided on said screw-threaded end portions of the bar and tightened against the opposite faces of said end members. The two bars 6 thus provided serve the dual purpose of longitudinal tie bars and reinforcing stays for the frame but more especially serving as track rails for a carriage to be later described.

The table top 8, which is shiftable longitudinally of the supporting base or stand I, preferably comprises a single rectangular sheet of metal having its longitudinal side and end portions flanged downwardly as at 9 and II], respectively, to provide an inverted boxlike structure, the meeting ends of the flange portions 9 and Ill being welded'together'or otherwise integrally joined at the corners of the structure. The table top is cross braced at the middle thereof by a marginally flanged plate I I similarly to the corresponding transverse bracing 4 of the upper frame portion of the supporting base or stand I. The table top may be provided with a reenforcement such as binding strips 8 of rightangular cross section along its longitudinal and end corner portions as shown, the flanges of said binding strips which overlap the adjacent upper face portion of the table top affording guards to prevent accidental movement of articles from the table in the use thereof.

The table top 8 is provided with a pair of longitudinal bars l2v similar to the bars '6 ofthebase frame and secured to the end flanges III of the table top by jam nuts I3 the same as the jam nuts I are applied to the bars 6. The bars I2 are parallel with and in direct vertical alinement above the bars 6 so as to serve as guide rails in opposed relation to the bars 6 for suporting the table top longitudinally movable on the carriage to be presently described as well as reinforcing the table top structure. It is here noted that the cross brace members 4 and II are provided with elongated openings or slots 4 and II for the passage of said bars 6 and I2 and also the rods I4 of the carriage frame.

The carriage to be now described comprises two longitudinal body frame units, each unit including a pair of elongated rods I4 in parallel and spaced relation to each other, the opposite end portions of the rods being screw-threaded and inserted in alined apertures provided therefor in the inwardly disposed flange portions of vertically disposed end members I5 of rightangular cross section, the fastening of the rods I4 to the end members I5 being effected by means of jam nuts I6 in the same manner in which the hereinbefore described rods 6 and I2 are respectively fastened to the frame members 3 and table top end flanges II) by the jam nuts 1 and I3.

The two longitudinal frame units of the carriage are connected by upper and lower transverse bars I'I, these bars being each screwthreaded for a considerable distance inwardly from their opposite ends and inserted through alined apertures provided therefor in the longitudinally disposed flanges of said rightangular end members I5 and projected a considerable distance beyond said members I5. As shown, the rods H are fastened to said longitudinally disposed flange portions of the end members I5 by pairs of jam nuts I8 which are tightened against the opposite faces of said flange portions.

Spaced outwardly from each of the end members I5 of the carriage frame is a vertically disposed oblong plate I9 which is apertured near its upper and lower ends for the reception of the extreme end portions of the transverse bars Il which are fastened securely and rigidly to said plates I9 by opposed jam nuts 20 clamping the adjacent portions of the respective plates I9 therebetween.

Located between each of the end members I5 of the carriage frame and its correlated outer plate I9 is a bearing roller 2I which is rotatable freely on a transverse axle pin 22 which is fitted at its opposite ends tightly in alined apertures provided therefor in the plate I9 and the opposed longitudinal flange portion of the frame end members I5, and the roller being centered between the member I5 and plate I9 either by interposing separate collars on opposite sides of the roller, as at 23, or, obviously, by forming corresponding integral hub extensions on the roller instead of the separate collars.

In the completely assembled table structure the bearing rollers 2I ride on the track rails afforded by the longitudinal bars 9 of the base frame structure, while the bars I2 which constitute the guide rails for the table top ride on said rollers 2I. By this provision and with the carriage normally set in a neutral position midway between the ends of the base frame or supporting stand I and the table top also in a neutral position in coinciding registration with the base frame or supporting stand, if the table top be moved longitudinally in either direction, the

guide rails I2 thereof riding on the bearing rollers 2| will cause the rollers to roll in the same direction on the supporting track rails 6 of the base frame or supporting stand and thereby moving the carriage with the table but with the efiect that the table top moves twice the distance that the carriage travels, this actuation of the table top and carriage being permitted until the forward end of the carriage is arrested by a stop at the forward end of the base frame or supporting stand and the table top is at the same time arrested in its travel by a stop at the rear end thereof coming in contact with the rear end of the carriage, the respective stops being preferably of a cushioning character as afforded by springs 24 provided on the respective rail bars .6 and I2 next adjacent the inner jam nuts I and I3 at the ends of the base frame or supporting stand and the table top, respectively. It is thus apparent that the table top may be shifted longitudinally to diiferent positions at the will of the operator and to an extreme limit in either direction with considerable overhanging extension beyond either end of the base frame or supporting stand.

To maintain the carriage in proper alinement with the rail bars 8 and I2 adjustable guide elements 25 in the form of screw-threaded studs are inserted through correspondingly screwthreaded apertures provided therefor in the outer plates I9 of the carriage frame, the inner ends of the studs being brought into slidable engagement with the respective bars 6 and I2 and secured in such adjustment by jam nuts 26 which are tightened against the adjacent outer face portions of the plates I9, by which provision movement of the carriage transversely of the bars 6 and I2 is prevented. To further maintain the table top and carriage in their proper working relation to the track rails 9 and particularly to prevent tilting of the table top in its extended position on the base frame or supporting stand vertically disposed thrust rollers 21 are located on the carriage above the guide rails I2 and below the track rails 6, said rollers 21 being mounted to rotate freely on the threaded portions of the transverse bars I! of the carriage frame between the inner jam nuts I8 and 20 which fasten the end frame members I5 and plates I9 to the bars II.

In order to releasably lock the table top in the different longitudinal positions to which it is shifted on the base frame or supporting stand in the use thereof, a longitudinal locking strip 9 28 is secured throughout the length of the table top on the under side thereof and contiguous to the lower edge of the front side flange 9 of the body structure, said strip 28 being provided with a longitudinal series of apertures 29 for the reception of the bolt 39 of a conventional latch element 3I which is mounted on the front longitudinal side member 2 of the body frame structure and provided with a convenient handle 32 for the manipulation of the bolt in setting it in engagement with the respective apertures of the locking strip 28 and releasing it therefrom at the will of the operator.

For theattachment of an auxiliary table to the base frame or supporting stand I, the latter is provided with a longitudinal rod 33 extending from end to end of the frame or stand adjacent the inner face of the front longitudinal side member 2 of the body frame thereof, said rod. 33 being attached at its opposite ends in any conventional manner to the end members 3 of the body frame and extendin through an aperture provided therefor in the transverse brace member 4 of the body frame which affords a support for the middle portion of the rod. As shown, the auxiliary table comprises an inverted boxlike top 34 formed of sheet metal and marginally flanged similarly to the flanging of the longitudinally movable table top 8. The auxiliary table is provided at its inner end with metal bracket straps 35 which are hooked at their free ends, as at 36, so as to be engage-d over and supported upon the longitudinal rod 33, the auxiliary table being provided at its outer end with supporting legs 3'! which are hingedly attached thereto, as at 38, so as to be collapsed and folded out of the way when the auxiliary table is detached from the base frame or supporting stand I. By the provision of the hooked bracket straps 35 the auxiliary table 34 is readily attached to the supporting rod 33 on either side of the cross brace i of the base frame I and as thus attached is slidable to any desired position on the rod 33 between the brace member 4 and the end of the body frame, and with 'the auxiliary table placed in its adjusted position the table top 8 is obviously shiftable to any desired position on the base frame or supporting stand in cooperative relation to the auxiliary table.

The general operation and utility of the table is apparent from the foregoing description and while the structure illustrated in thedrawings embodies a practical adaptation of the invention it is obvious that considerable modification may be made in the general structure as Well as in the particular parts thereof without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims. The invention, therefore, is not limited to the specific construction and arrangement shown.

What is claimed is:

1. In a carriage top table, a rectangular, supporting underframe having parallel track rails extending substantially the length thereof, a carriage having rollers at its opposite ends supported and rollable on said track rails, an elonmovement of the carriage in the same direction but to a distance half that the table top travels,

and cushioned stop means for limiting the travel of both the carriage and the table top, said stop means comprising spring element coiled about the respective track and guide rails contiguous to the opposite ends of the underframe and the table top.

2. In a carriage top table, a rectangular, supporting underframe having parallel longitudinal track rails, a correspondingly elongated rectangular table top having downturned marginal flanges at the sides and ends thereof and provided with longitudinal guide rails in parallel relation to and vertically above the track rails of the underframe, and a carriage comprising a rectangular frame having bearing rollers located between said track rails and said guide rails whereby the rollers of the carriage are supported and ride on the track rails and the table top is supported and rides on said rollers and whereby also the travel of the table top and the carriage is simultaneous, but the extent of travel of the table top is double that of the carriage.

3. A carriage top table comprising a supporting underframe having parallel track rails, a table top having parallel guide rails on the under r side thereof in parallel relation to and alined vergated table "top having longitudinal guide rails on its underside supported to travel on the carriage rollers whereby the movement of the table top in either direction effects a simultaneous tically above the track rails of the underframe, and a carriage comprising a rectangular frame having bearing rollers at the ends thereof located between said track rails and said guide rails whereby the rollers of the carriage are supported and roll on the track rails and the table top is supported and rides on the rollers, the carriage having opposed pairs of upper and lower guide and thrust rollers at its opposite ends, the upper rollers located above the guide rails and the lower rollers being located below the track rails whereby to prevent tilting of the table top.

4. The structure as set forth in claim 3 and the carriage further provided with lateral guide means at the outer sides of and slidably engaged by said guide rails and track rails to resist lateral thrust and prevent transverse movement of the carriage relative to said guide rails and said track rails.

MANVILLE R. NELSON. 

